Beat the January 26th Alcohol Ban: A Thoughtful Stocking Guide

The Republic Day long weekend promises lazy mornings and spontaneous gatherings—but there's a catch. With January 26th marked as a dry day across most Indian states, your window to stock up closes on January 25th evening. Think of it as advance planning for those impromptu Sunday brunches or quiet Friday evening wind-downs that follow the holiday.

1. Cashmir Vodka

India’s first premium small-batch organic craft vodka, Cashmir has quickly become the spirit of sophistication. Crafted from Sona Moti – a rare, 2,000-year-old organic heritage winter wheat, painstakingly revived after near extinction. Known as the “Golden Pearl,” this non-GMO, non-hybrid grain, with pristine Himalayan glacial water from the valleys of Kashmir, creates a vodka of exceptional purity and character. Distilled 7 times and precision-filtered 5 times, CASHMIR delivers a velvety texture and remarkably clean finish. Inspired by the untouched serenity of the Kashmir Valley, it is not just a spirit but a story of heritage, revival and craftsmanship—one that has now been recognized on the world stage.

Price: INR 1,800 and INR 4,190 depending upon state

Availability: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Goa, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Daman and Diu, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab.

2. Whistler whisky

Whistler Barrel Aged Blended Malt Whisky is a refined blend of mature malt and grain whiskies, patiently aged in oak barrels to develop a rich, layered profile. A refined blend of mature malt and grain whiskies, it is patiently aged in oak barrels to develop a rich, layered profile. With warm notes of dried apple, apricot, vanilla cream, and toasted oak on the nose, Whistler delivers a silky palate of rich malt, toffee, pineapple, and gentle spice. The medium finish leaves a graceful trail of mellow sweetness and refinement.

Price: 750 ml | INR 750-1500/- depending on the state and availability.

Availability: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand, Delhi, West Bengal, Daman and Uttar Pradesh

3. FINO Tequila

FINO Tequila is an artisanal brand born in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Founded by Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh and a collective of esteemed entrepreneurs, FINO is crafted from 100% blue Weber agave, which—along with Jalisco's famed red soil and unique climate—results in a sweeter agave with a more intense aroma. FINO offers four distinctive variants, each presenting intricate flavour profiles that can only be found in authentic Mexican spirits.

Blanco: Crisp and herbaceous, with delicate notes of vanilla, refreshing mint, and invigorating cinnamon. This variant offers a clean sip with no burn, perfect for those who appreciate a pure and unadulterated tequila experience.

Price & availability: INR 13,889 available at Delhi Duty Free, Ahmedabad Duty Free, Mumbai Duty Free and select retail outlets in Gurgaon and Delhi. It will soon be available in Mumbai retail outlets as well

4. YELLO Designer Whisky

 YELLO is a new blended whisky from ABD Maestro, the premium spirits arm of Allied Blenders & Distillers, co-founded by Ranveer Singh as creative partner. The liquid brings together Scotch malts from Speyside and the Highlands, matured in ex-bourbon oak, with Indian malt whiskies. The result is a smooth, approachable whisky with familiar notes of vanilla, caramel and oak, designed to work comfortably over ice or in highballs. The “designer” tag shows up most clearly in the packaging. A bright, contemporary bottle with a cut-out “whisky window” sets it apart visually from more traditional blends, signalling its pitch at a younger, style-conscious whisky drinker.

Available in Maharashtra; from Rs2,700 for 750ml

5. Quro homegrown liqueur

Quro, India's pioneering homegrown liqueur, captivates with its bold fusion of 36 indigenous ingredients like zesty orange, tangy amla, fragrant hibiscus, moringa flowers, warming cinnamon, and adaptogenic ashwagandha, delivering vibrant citrus bursts, delicate floral whispers, and a lingering subtle bitterness. Double pot-distilled and meticulously macerated at 30% ABV, this smooth yet complex spirit from Inspired Spirits embodies the nation's botanical heritage in every velvety sip, perfect neat, over ice, as a refreshing spritzer, or in inventive cocktails like the Quro Qrisp. Housed in an elegant transparent bottle etched with "Quro" in diverse Indian scripts, it celebrates cultural diversity and stands as a versatile staple for elevating any gathering with authentic, spirited elegance

Price & availability: Goa - from Rs1,950

6. Baileys Cream Liqueur

Baileys Irish Cream, the world's favorite cream liqueur, blends premium Irish whiskey with fresh Irish dairy cream, rich cocoa, and vanilla for an indulgent, velvety texture at 17% ABV that's synonymous with cozy indulgence. Launched in 1974, its iconic notes of chocolate, coffee, and nutty warmth make it perfect for January sipping—neat over ice, in Irish coffees to combat winter chill, or as a luxurious addition to hot chocolate and desserts. Housed in its signature frosted bottle, Baileys elevates any gathering with effortless elegance and a nostalgic charm that's timelessly smooth.

Price & availability: INR 2,500–4,000 (750ml), widely available at Delhi liquor stores & duty-free

7. MacRoys blended scotch

From the house of Angus Dundee, one of Scotland’s most respected distillers, MacRoys Blended Scotch carries the signature of fine ageing and balance. The blend matures exclusively in first-fill bourbon casks, revealing rich layers of vanilla, caramel, and oak. The Extra Peat Variant matures in both bourbon and sherry casks, bringing together notes of honey, chocolate, and vanilla with a measured smokiness. The Sherry Cask Finish, the only blended Scotch in India with this finish, adds warmth and depth with a refined sweetness.

Price & availability: Delhi – INR 1,780 for a 750 ml bottle. Also available in Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Odisha for civil supplies.